The word is out––literally! Oxford Dictionary recently announced that “goblin mode” is the 2022 word of the year. And if you’re a little confused by the iconic new word, you’re not alone. The term went viral earlier this year when a Twitter user made a fake headline about Julia Fox going goblin mode, and the rest is history. Since then, it’s found a home with the likes of other memorable words of the year like “dumpster fire” and “plutoed.”
What actually is “goblin mode” and how do we relate to it? According to The Cut, it’s a new slang term that means to reject society’s expectations and act in an unapologetic, self-indulgent way. And in doing so, it opens up the mental health conversation in an unexpected, but welcomed way. In fact, one of its benefits is that it gives the “OK” to pursue an unfiltered, raw, and real existence. Simply put, it welcomes the mess of life without having any reservations about it. More than anything, it applauds rest after an exhausting school week. Going goblin mode asks you to do absolutely nothing, and enjoy every last second of it.
How is going goblin mode helpful?
Going “Goblin mode” might possibly be the self-acceptance tool that helps you embrace yourself, imperfections and all. It asks for you to own all parts of yourself and be candid about your emotions. Above all, it provides the space to express all sides of yourself without the limitations of self-imposed, or external judgment. If it sounds like a life hack for dealing with stress, you’d be right.
Plus, it’s something that is easily accessible and is always there for you. Need a weekend off from assignments to catch up on sleep? Go goblin mode. Looking to spend your weeknight reading all three books of your favorite series? Go goblin mode. Whatever it may look like, hopefully going goblin mode helps relieve some of that overwhelm from being a constantly busy college student.
How do I even go goblin mode?
It doesn’t take much to enter into “Goblin mode” energy and that’s why it’s great. All you need to have ready is your wonderful self, some type of comforting relaxation activity in mind, and a non-judgmental perspective on your side. Going into it, there will be moments where you can’t avoid getting up close and personal with that part of yourself you keep hidden from the world. That’s where your three “goblin mode” resources come in.
When this happens, take a break from your relaxation activity, bring in your wonderful self, and explore the moment from a non-judgmental perspective. It may feel strange at first, but that’s where reframing comes in. With an open mind, you can take the discomfort from the experience as a chance to appreciate the full 360 view of who you are. Who knows, it could turn out to be a much-needed pause from your hectic day-to-day that leads you that much closer to yourself.
All things considered, know that entering your “goblin mode” may look different from time to time and that’s okay. If it were presented the same way every time, it would get boring after a while because you wouldn’t be learning much about yourself. So, maybe one day your “goblin mode” looks a lot like canceling your dinner plans to have your long-awaited “New Girl” marathon, and on another day it looks like putting aside your notebook to enjoy a nostalgic film alone.
In any case, although it may not sound like it at first glance, “goblin mode” is one of those words that gives back and offers more than it takes. While letting your everyday persona fall may feel difficult at first, it’s worth it to get closer to your true self. What would it be like for you to accept yourself fully? It could be a setting stone on your journey to finding yourself. Because once that veil is lifted, you can be you completely you, and that’s a beautiful reward within itself.